Rainier Audubon Society September 2008

September 15, Monday, at 7:00 PM

Welcome back!
Rainier Audubon Presents
Rainier Audubon welcomes you
The Sandhill Cranes of Bosque del Apache to another year packed with pro-
grams, field trips, and fun and edu-
Photography by Dan Streiffert cational activities focused on pro-
tecting and enjoying our birds and
Located in central New Mexico, the “Bosque” is one of the most wildlife. We look forward to see-
popular bird photography sites in the U.S. Its primary attraction is ing you at some of our activities.
Sandhill Cranes, which winter there by the thousands. When first
established in 1941, there And donʼt forget that we are always
were 17 cranes and about as looking for volunteers! If you have
many snow geese. Today some spare time and a desire to
they number in the tens of participate in fun, nature-oriented
thousands, providing visitors activities with other like-minded in-
with magnificent views and dividuals, please send us an email!
sounds. Dan will show us There is something for everyone
photos he took on a visit to the to do, and we promise you will be
refuge in November 2007. asked to do only what you enjoy.

Dan has been focusing on info@RainierAudubon.org

bird photography since he
retired in 2007. He is also
Directions to Federal Way
the Conservation Chair
United Methodist Church
for Rainier Audubon. You can see more of his photos at http://
danstreiffert.smugmug.com.
In Federal Way, drive east on
Please join Rainier Audubon and Dan as we begin a new season 320th St. past The Commons
with this exciting and spectacular program. Whether you are a (formerly Sea Tac Mall),
birdwatcher, photographer, or just enjoy nature at her finest, this crossing over both I-5 and
program will have something for everyone. Refreshments and Military Rd.
conversation available before, during and following the program.
Turn left at the light at 321st
Federal Way United Methodist Church St. Follow 321st and keep
29645 - 51st Ave. So. going as it becomes 51st Ave.
Federal Way Church will be on your left at
296th.
 Fall Field Trips
By Carol Schulz
Foothills Trail
Saturday, September 20
7:30 AM to Early Afternoon
Leader: Carol Schulz
Join us on an exploration of the Foothills Trail, near
Orting in Pierce County. Late summer and fall is the
most productive season for birding the trail, which
flanks South Prairie Creek. Songbirds, sparrows,
flycatchers, woodpeckers, and more may be found
along this trail and in the town of South Prairie in
the fall. We will also look for American Dippers and
salmon along the creek and on the Carbon River.
BRING: Lunch, water, and snacks. A scope is
welcome. We may walk up to 1 1/2 miles on level
trails. There is a road which runs near the trail, for
folks who canʼt walk far. If it rains, dress for the
weather, as the birding just gets BETTER in bad
weather during fall migration!
MEET: 7:30 AM at Jack-in-the-Box Restaurant (open
24 hrs) on Ellingson Rd in Pacific & Algona. You may
bring your car on the trip, and leave early if you wish.
DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of I-167 and
Hwy. 18 in Auburn, travel south on I-167 1.8 miles.
Exit onto Ellingson Rd, and travel east 0.2 miles
toward Algona and Pacific. Go through the 4-way stop.
Jack-in-the-Box is on the left.
SIGN UP: Call or email Carol Schulz, linusq@att.net,
(206) 824-7618.
Birds at the Coast
Sunday, September 28
6:30 AM to Early Evening
Meet at WESTPORT at 9:00 AM.
Leader: Guy McWethy
Meet Guy McWethy out at WESTPORT at 9:00 AM.
The main target species for this trip will be migrating
shorebirds. There will be a chance for a large trip list
of other birds too. Areas to visit will include West-
port, Bottle Beach, Midway Beach, and Tokeland. If
you ever have been birding with Guy, you know that
he really knows his birds, and his trips are great. The
trip will be at the perfect time of year for shorebirds.
BRING: Plenty of food including lunch, snacks, and
beverages. (It will be a long day.) Bring gear and
clothing for changeable weather. Bring rubber boots
if you have them, for fording a small stream at Bottle
Beach State Park. Bring a scope if you have one.
MEET: Guy will already be out at the coast. Meet
him at 9:00 AM on Sunday in Westport at the Ob-
servation Deck on Neddie Rose Drive. It will take
approximately 2 1/2 hours to get there from south
King County, with minimal stops on your route. Plan
to leave early!
SIGN-UP: Email Guy at lguy_mcw@yahoo.com,
or call (425) 255-9478 (evening), or (253) 924-2460
(days). Email is preferred. Contact before Friday,
September 26. Sign up early - trip is limited to 8
people.
DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy. 105 from Aberdeen. Near
the town of Westport, turn right onto Montesano St.
and travel 3.6 miles to Westport. The road swings
right and becomes Dock Avenue. At the stop sign in
0.1 mile, take Westhaven Drive (the main street along
the docks) left to the rock breakwater, then go right
onto Neddie Rose Drive (0.3 mile). Park at the end of
the road (0.3 mile), and walk up onto the observation
platform next to the public restroom. (A map of West-
port is in the Birder’s Guide to Washington, page 64.)
 Field Trips, cont.
West Seattle in the Fall
Sunday, October 12
8:00 AM to About 1:00 PM
Leader: Kathy Andrich
Visit the West Seattle shoreline in the fall when the
seabirds return to Puget Sound. We will be looking for
seaducks, shorebirds, grebes, Brant geese, mixed flocks
of small birds, and resident Bald Eagles.
BRING: Gear and clothing for changeable October
weather. Bring a scope if you have one. Bring coffee
money, as we will stop at the Alki Bakery for coffee
and a snack.
MEET: At the Kent-Des Moines Park & Ride at 8:00
AM to carpool.
DIRECTIONS: Take 1-5 to exit 149, go east (toward
Kent) on Kent-Des Moines Rd 1/2 block, then take a
left onto Military Rd. The P & R is on the left.
SIGN-UP: Contact Kathy Andrich at (206) 390-3159 or
at chukarbird@yahoo.com.
Weekly Bird Walks at Nisqually
Wednesdays 7:30 AM to Noon
Leader: Phil Kelley
Big changes are happening at Nisqually NWR!
Join Phil on his weekly bird walk as he counts the
birds at Nisqually NWR. On the first Wednesday of the
month, the group walks fairly quickly on a longer hike;
other weeks, the trip is shorter, out to the Twin Barns,
the Nisqually overlook area, and the riparian area,
totaling about 3 miles.
BRING: Good walking shoes or boots, raingear,
water, snacks, and $3 entry fee unless you have a pass.
Scopes are welcome.
MEET: At the Visitorʼs Center.
INTRODUCTION TO BIRDING CLASS
This fall, Rainier Audubon will be offering
an Introduction to Birding class. This enjoy-
able class will consist of one lecture, and
two fun and educational field trips.
Class will be held at the Federal Way United
Methodist Church (see address and direc-
tions on page 1) on Tuesday evening, Octo-
ber 28, from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM. Field trips
will be Saturday, November 1, and Satur-
day, November 8, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Your
teachers will be Master Birder Carol Schulz
and Assistant Instructor Debra Russell.
We will use the National Geographic Field
Guide to Birds of North America (3rd, 4th,
or 5th edition) as the class text. Please
bring this guide to class.
Cost will be $25 for Rainier members and
$40 for non-members. For more infor-
mation or to reserve a spot in the class,
please call or email Carol Schulz at (206)
824-7618 or linusq@att.net.
DIRECTIONS: Take I-5 south from Tacoma and
exit to Nisqually NWR at exit 114. Take a right
at the light.
SIGN-UP: Call or email Phil to confirm details
(especially during the trail construction period):
(360) 459-1499, scrubjay323@aol.com. [Con-
struction on a 3-4 year estuary reconstruction
project has begun on some of the trails. The trail
to McAllister Creek will be closed temporarily in
August and into early September. For more infor-
mation about trail closures, go to http://www.fws.
gov/nisqually/ and click on Events and News.]
 Rainier Audubon Membership Subscription Form
One-year Membership in Rainier Audubon — $15
To join, mail this application with your payment to:

Rainier Audubon Society - Membership

PO Box 778
Auburn, WA 98071

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